The Squire's Tale by Gerald Morris Read Free Book Online Page B

"Well of all the conceited—you don't mean you've blamed Terence for it?"
    "Who else?" Gawain frowned.
    "You, you stupid sod! Who was it who wouldn't stop and rest? Who was it who set the pace? As if any horse could keep up with your Guingalet!"
    Gawain flushed, but he answered, "He could have told me his horse was in trouble."
    Tor laughed shortly. "You mean during the delightful conversation that the two of you were holding. So cheerful and chatty as you've been today!"
    Gawain glowered at him. "I only wanted to get this pointless chase done with."
    Tor frowned at Gawain for a moment, then said, "Look, Gawain. I don't know who's put you so out of frame, but it wasn't Terence."
    For a long moment, Gawain looked at the ground. Then he raised his eyes. "You're right, Tor. I'm sorry, Terence. Forgive me my ill temper?"
    Terence gulped. "Yes, milord."
    Later, after they had eaten, Tor leaned against a log and said to Gawain, "You want to tell us what's riding you?"
    Gawain shrugged. "I told you. I just think we're wasting our time."
    "Maybe," Tor agreed. "But I don't mind getting away from court. Getting tired of doing the pretty to all the courtiers and ladies. I thought you were, too."
    Gawain thought for a minute, then said, "Well, I was. But I'd just as soon be off to do something worth my bother."
    "It might be. You must admit, the animals were unnatural. And as for that lady on the mule—"
    "Her!" Gawain snorted. "That was no lady! What was Arthur thinking, sending off two knights just because an old hag says to!"
    Tor raised his eyebrows and said, "Oh she was a hag, certainly, but I wouldn't call her old. Her voice was young enough." Gawain nodded reflectively, but he said nothing. Tor continued, "Do you think she was an enchantress?"
    Gawain laughed harshly. "Never. The first thing an enchantress learns is how to make herself beautiful. I've never known one who wouldn't take your breath away to look at her."
    Tor looked surprised. "Have you known so many enchantresses, then?"
    Gawain nodded, but something forbidding clouded his face, and Tor asked no other questions.
    ***
    The next day was better. Gawain was still poor company, but he guarded his tongue and his temper. Shortly after noon, the greyhounds picked up a scent, and the hunt began in earnest. Two hours later, the three came to an open field where two knights in full armor were fighting.
    "Take this, thou varlet!" one of the knights cried, putting all his strength into an overhead chop. The other knight parried the blow with his sword and managed to deflect it somewhat, but it still bit into his armor at the shoulder. Blood welled from the gash.
    "By Jove, you've got a good swing there," the wounded knight cried. "I'm sure you'll have me in a few minutes."
    "Not at all," the other said. "Not while you display such brilliant defense. I'm sure
I
could never have parried that blow."
    "Oh, but see, you've opened up that wound in my shoulder," the first knight replied. "I'll surely bleed to death soon."
    "Oh dear," the other said. "And it was just healed over, too."
    "Never mind. Shall we go on?"
    "Of course. Die, miscreant!"
    Gawain's solemn lips relaxed slightly, and he trotted Guingalet up to the combatants. "I beg your pardon," he said. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."
    "Well, actually," the wounded one said, "you are, a bit."
    "Now Brian," said the other, "there's no call to be rude."
    "I don't see that," he replied. "After all, he asked. In fact, if you ask me, he's the one who was rude. It should be clear that we're busy."
    Gawain cleared his throat. "Very true, sir knight. But if you'll excuse my vulgar curiosity, what have I interrupted?"
    The two knights stiffened, and the wounded one said, "I fail to see how that's any of your affair."
    "Quite right," the other agreed.
    Gawain nodded understandingly, and said, "You are right that I am an outsider. But as an impartial observer, perhaps I can mediate your disagreement. Surely you two do not really